Family-Focused Dentistry

If your child needs a filling, you are not alone. Decay (dental caries) is common among children. While it may be because of poor home care, dental decay sometimes runs more strongly in some families than others. If you have a history of decay, you should be ultra vigilant when it comes to your kids. They may be more susceptible, too.

If your child is diagnosed with decay, you do not need to worry! Dr. Sean Drower works great with children. He is gentle and helps your child to feel at ease for their dental appointment.

Dr. Drower will make sure your child is calm and explain to them, in terms they understand, what he will be doing. He will gently and completely remove the decay from your child’s tooth and sterilize the area. Then he will fill your child’s tooth with filling material called composite. Composite is applied in layers and cured with a special light.

Once your child’s cavity is completely filled, he will make any final adjustments so that your child’s filling is comfortable and functional for chewing. Dr. Drower may recommend additional treatments such as fluoride or sealants to help prevent future decay.
 

No matter how diligently you brush and floss your teeth, it is practically impossible to remove every trace of plaque, especially from the areas between your teeth or beneath your gumline. Over time, plaque can develop into tartar, which can't be removed with a toothbrush or dental floss. At a professional cleaning, dental hygienists use special tools along with their training to carefully remove the remaining plaque and tartar from your teeth so you can avoid cavities and gum disease. Additionally, these appointments give us an opportunity to check on the overall health of your mouth and watch for any potential problems that may be developing so they can be treated while they are still small.

Call today for a professional cleaning with one of our talented and gentle hygienists!
 

Most children have the coordination and patience to properly brush their teeth with reasonably good technique by about age 8. Of course, every child is different, so this is only a guideline. We are happy to discuss your child's dental habits and abilities with you and help you determine whether your child is ready to brush independently.

Once your child has made the transition to independent brushing, check up on him or her periodically to make sure that good brushing and flossing techniques are still being practiced.

At Dr. Sean Drower’s office, we offer family-focused dentistry. That means that we welcome your entire family, including your children. We know that our patients are busy and having to take your child to a different dental office can be inconvenient and time consuming.

Dr. Drower works well with children and helps parents create an excellent home care routine for their little ones. Sometimes home care is not quite enough to prevent unwanted decay in your child’s teeth. Dr. Drower may recommend dental sealants to help with further prevention.

Dental sealants are plastic coatings placed over the pits and fissures in your teeth to prevent food particles, sugar, and bacteria from entering and creating an acidic environment conducive to decay. Sealants are painted on to your child’s teeth and hardened with a curing light.

Dr. Sean Drower does not recommend dental sealants unless he sees a compelling reason to do so. If your child’s tooth anatomy could easily trap decay causing bacteria, he may recommend sealants for at least the very back molars or any other teeth that are particularly susceptible.

Sealants are less expensive and less invasive than fillings. They typically last about five years and can be replaced once they wear off.